President-elect Donald J. Trump has chosen Paul Atkins as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), indicating a likely lighter regulatory approach to crypto assets. Atkins, a pro-business conservative and former SEC commissioner, is known for his advocacy of looser regulation. He is a strong advocate for digital assets and has participated in drafting "best practices" for crypto trading platforms. The crypto industry spent millions of dollars supporting candidates who favor softer regulation during the presidential campaign. Atkins' appointment is expected to roll back many of the initiatives pushed by the current SEC chair, Gary Gensler, who treated crypto assets as regulated securities. The new chair may take a hands-off approach or selectively regulate crypto assets, aligning with a renewed push in Congress to pass a law that removes most digital assets from the SEC's control.



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